Jim Pacheco, the longtime Sheriff’s sergeant and community advocate, took the Oath of Office on Monday, Dec. 30, as the new Merced County Supervisor representing District 1.
“I stand before you with immense gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility for the trust you’ve placed in me as your new County Supervisor,” Pacheco told an audience of local leaders and standout community members who were packed inside the board chambers of the Administration Building.
“To my fellow board members and colleagues, I look forward to working together in a spirit of mutual respect and shared purpose. To the residents of Merced County, my priority is to represent you faithfully, to listen to your concerns, and to be an advocate for your needs.”
Pacheco will represent an area that includes the communities of Livingston, south Merced, El Nido, Le Grand, Planada and Santa Nella.
The 57-year-old Le Grand resident unseated incumbent Supervisor Rodrigo Espinosa and two other challengers with an impressive win in the March Primary election.
In an emotional ceremony, Pacheco was sworn in by his own wife, Jeannette Pacheco, a longtime administrator for the District Attorney’s Office. The two originally met while they were both assigned to the Narcotics Task Force.
“There are lots of things I could say about Jim that I think will make him a good supervisor, but I think the most important quality is that he cares. … He likes to help; to try and make bad situations better for people. That’s why he was a good peace officer.”
She added, “He treated people with kindness and understanding. He also learned the importance of leaving personal opinions and egos aside to focus on the collective good.”
Pacheco was endorsed by both Sheriff Vern Warnke and District Attorney Nicole Silveira and they were in the audience along with many other local leaders and dignitaries.
Before the ceremony, a prayer was said, with the words: “Heavenly Father … We ask that you bless Jim and his fellow board members in seeking unity and collaboration. As they work together, may their diverse talents and perspectives help them work effectively and achieve positive outcomes for the County of Merced and the citizens they serve.”
Pacheco joins Josh Pedrozo (Dist. 2), Daron McDaniel (Dist. 3) Lloyd Pariera (Dist. 4) and Scott Silveira (Dist. 5) on the Merced County Board of Supervisors.